Utah Wildlife Board MeetingUtah Wildlife Board Meeting October 1, 2020 Draft 10/01/2020 . Wildlife...

Utah Wildlife Board Meeting

December 3, 2020, DNR, Boardroom Electronic Meeting

The meeting can be viewed live at https://youtu.be/8t7rVxnl3qE Thursday, December 3, 2020, 9:00 am 1. Approval of Agenda ACTION – Byron Bateman, Chairman 2. Approval of Minutes ACTION – Byron Bateman, Chairman 3. Old Business/Action Log CONTINGENT – Kevin Albrecht, Vice-Chairman

• Update - Dedicated Hunter and General Season Deer Applications – Lindy Varney

4. DWR Update INFORMATION – Mike Fowlks, DWR Director 5. Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-9 Rule Amendments ACTION - Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator 6. 2021 Big Game Seasons, Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments ACTION - Covy Jones, Big Game Coordinator 7. Deer Management Plans – Population Objective Recommendations ACTION - Regional Presentations 8. Deer Management Plans – Unit Plan Revision Recommendations ACTION - Regional Presentations 9. CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations ACTION - Chad Wilson, Public Wildlife/Private Lands Coordinator 10. Conservation and Expo Permit adjustments ACTION - Covy Jones, Big Game Coordinator 11. Other Business CONTINGENT – Byron Bateman, Chairman

• Wyoming Game and Fish Commission – Flaming Gorge Letter

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of the virus to spread from person to person, the Governor has implemented a number of Executive Orders directed at controlling spread of the virus by minimizing face-to-face interactions. Public gatherings are strongly discouraged by the CDC, State of Utah, and local health departments since they facilitate face-to-face contact and pose an elevated risk for virus transmission. The Division of Wildlife Resources and the chair of this public body have determined that public gathering at Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings presents a substantial risk to the health and safety of those who attend—and will conduct this meeting using a fully electronic format. This meeting format is authorized by recent amendment to the Utah Code1 and Executive Order by Utah Governor Gary Herbert2—and will be temporarily used in place of the in-person public meetings that usually occur around the state. Anyone wishing to comment on agenda topics in future meetings or to observe this meeting may do so by logging on to the Division’s webpage at https://wildlife.utah.gov/feedback.html where instructions and links are provided.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - Persons needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) for this meeting, should contact Staci Coons at 801-538-4718, giving her at least five working days notice.

1 Utah Code Section 52-4-207(4). 2 Executive Order Suspending the Enforcement of Provisions of Utah Code §§ 52-4-202 and 52-4-207, and Related State Agency Orders, Rules, and Regulations, Due to Infectious Disease COVID-19 Novel, March 18, 2020.

https://youtu.be/8t7rVxnl3qEhttps://wildlife.utah.gov/feedback.html

1

Draft 12/3/2020 Wildlife Board Motions

Following is a summary of Wildlife Board motions directing the Division to take action and the response to date: Fall 2021 – Target Date – Updates in Hunting Technology MOTION: I move that we ask the Division to look at any new hunting technology since the last update to the board and report on it. This is to be placed on the Action Log.

Motion made by: Kevin Albrecht

Assigned to: Justin Shannon/Covy Jones Action: Under Study Status: Pending Placed on Action Log: August 27, 2020

Utah Wildlife Board Meeting

October 1, 2020 Electronic Meeting

The Board Meeting will stream live at https://youtu.be/G_0gXs9R_BA

AGENDA Thursday, October 1, 2020, Board Meeting 9:00 am

1. Approval of Agenda

– Byron Bateman, Chairman ACTION

2. Approval of Minutes – Byron Bateman, Chairman

ACTION

3. Old Business/Action Log – Byron Bateman, Chairman

CONTINGENT

4. DWR Update – Mike Fowlks, DWR Director

INFORMATIONAL

5. 2021-2022 Fishing Recommendations and Fishing Contest Rule Amendments – Randy Oplinger, Sportfish Coordinator

ACTION

6. Angler Opportunity Assessment Update – Craig Walker, Aquatic Section Assistant Chief

INFORMATIONAL

7. Middle Provo River Update – Jackie Watson, Blue Ribbon Fisheries Biologist

INFORMATIONAL

8. R657-62 Rule Amendments – Deployed Military – Lindy Varney, Wildlife Licensing Coordinator

ACTION

9. Conservation Permit Audit – Kenny Johnson, Administration Services Section Chief

ACTION

10. Conservation Permit Annual Report – Justin Shannon, Wildlife Section Chief

INFORMATIONAL

11. Cougar Conservation and Expo Permit Request – Darren DeBloois, Game Mammals Program Coordinator

ACTION

12. Repeal Rule R657-38 Wildlife Sensitive Species – Mike Canning, Assistant Director

ACTION

13. 2021 RAC/Board Dates – Staci Coons, Wildlife Board Coordinator

ACTION

14. Other Business – Byron Bateman, Chairman

CONTINGENT

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - Persons needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids

and services) for this meeting, should contact Staci Coons at 801-538-4718, giving her at least five working days notice.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of the virus to spread from person to person, the Governor has implemented a number of Executive Orders directed at controlling spread of the virus by minimizing face-to-face interactions. Public gatherings are strongly discouraged by the CDC, State of Utah, and local health

departments since they facilitate face-to-face contact and pose an elevated risk for virus transmission. The Division of Wildlife Resources and the chair of this public body have determined that public gathering at Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings presents a substantial risk to the health and safety of those

who attend—and will conduct this meeting using a fully electronic format. This meeting format is authorized by recent amendment to the Utah Code1 and Executive Order by Utah Governor Gary Herbert2—and will be temporarily used in place of the in-person public meetings that usually occur around the state. Anyone

wishing to comment on agenda topics in future meetings or to observe this meeting may do so by logging on to the Division’s webpage at https://wildlife.utah.gov/feedback.html where instructions and links are provided.

1 Utah Code Section 52-4-207(4). 2 Executive Order Suspending the Enforcement of Provisions of Utah Code §§ 52-4-202 and 52-4-207, and Related State Agency Orders, Rules, and Regulations, Due to Infectious Disease COVID-19 Novel, March 18, 2020.

https://youtu.be/G_0gXs9R_BAhttps://wildlife.utah.gov/feedback.html

Utah Wildlife Board Meeting October 1, 2020

Draft 10/01/2020

Wildlife Board Motions

Following is a summary of Wildlife Board motions directing the Division to take action and the response to date: Fall 2020 – Target Date – Premium Fishing Areas

MOTION: To have the division look into the possibility of designating premium fishing areas - that allow artificial flies and lures only- to have increased license requirements and fees and to bring the information back during the next recommendation cycle.

Motion made by: Byron Batemen Assigned to: Randy Oplinger Action: Under Study Status: Pending Placed on Action Log: September 27, 2018


Utah Wildlife Board Meeting October 1, 2020, DNR Auditorium

Electronic Meeting Summary of Motions

1) Approval of Agenda (Action) The following motion was made by Donnie Hunter, seconded by Wade Heaton, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the agenda for the October 1, 2020 Wildlife Board Meeting.

2) Approval of Minutes (Action) The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the minutes of the September 16, 2020 Wildlife Board Work Session Meeting.

3) 2021-2022 Fishing Recommendations and Fishing Contest Rule Amendments (Action)

The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that the Wildlife Board write a letter to the State of Wyoming Game and Fish Commission requesting true reciprocity of state fishing licenses between the State of Utah and the State of Wyoming on the Flaming Gorge interstate waters.

The following motion was made by Randy Dearth. The motion was not seconded, and the motion failed.

MOTION: I move that we allow filleting in the field of harvested kokanee salmon at Strawberry Reservoir as long as the skin is left intact.

The following motion was made by Karl Hirst, seconded by Randy Dearth, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the Division’s recommendations as presented, with the addition that anglers return tagged Northern Pike on Utah Lake, but that the catch and kill order for the non-tagged Northern Pike remains in place.

4) R657-62 Rule Amendments – Deployed Miltary (Action) The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Donnie Hunter and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the rule amendment with a modification in the


wording that states that in order to be eligible for this benefit the individual requesting the benefit must be on active duty and be deployed outside the State of Utah.

5) Conservation Permit Audit (Action)

The following motion was made by Karl Hirst, seconded by Wade Heaton, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the Conservation Permit Audit.

6) Cougar Conservation and Expo Permit Request (Action) The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the request as presented.

7) Repeal Rule R657-38 Wildlife Sensitive Species (Action)

The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we repeal Rule R657-38.

8) 2021 RAC/Board Dates (Action) The following motion was made by Wade Heaton, seconded by Donnie Hunter, and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the proposed 2021 RAC and Board meeting dates.



Electronic Meeting Attendance

Wildlife Board RAC Chairs

Byron Bateman – Chairman Karl Hirst Central – Brock McMillan Kevin Albrecht – Vice-Chairman Donnie Hunter Southern – Brayden Richmond Mike Fowlks – Exec Secretary Randy Dearth Southeastern – Chris Wood Wade Heaton Northeastern – Brett Prevedel Northern – Justin Oliver

Division Personnel Mike Canning Darren DeBloois Jackie Watson Marty Bushman Craig Walker Phil Tuttle Greg Hansen Randy Oplinger Chris Crockett Kevin Bunnell Russell Norvell James Christensen Miles Hanberg Lindy Varney Chris Penne Jason Vernon J. Shirley Staci Coons Kenny Johnson David Beveridge Paige Wiren Justin Shannon Torrey Chistophersen Paul Gedge Paul Washburn Mike Christensen Matt Briggs



Electronic Meeting https://youtu.be/G_0gXs9R_BA

00:01:00 Chairman Bateman called the meeting to order, read a statement from the State of Utah regarding COVID-19 and public meetings, and took a roll call. Wildlife board member Bret Selman was not present, and Chris Wood sat in for Trisha Hedin as the Southeastern RAC chair.

00:04:16 1) Approval of Agenda (Action) The following motion was made by Donnie Hunter, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the agenda for the October 1, 2020 meeting.

00:05:01 2) Approval of Minutes (Action) The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the minutes of the August 27, 2020 Wildlife Board Meeting and the September 16, 2020 Wildlife Board Work Session Meeting.

3) Old Business/Action Log (Contingent) The Action Log item was addressed in agenda item 6) Angler Opportunity Assessment Update.

00:05:47 4) DWR Update (Informational) Director Mike Fowlks gave Habitat, Law Enforcement and Administrative Services Section updates. The Director announced the transfer of Attorney General Martin Bushman from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to the Utah Division of Water Rights.

5) 2021-2022 Fishing Recommendations and Fishing Contest Rule Amendments (Action) Randy Oplinger gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.

00:09:28 DWR Clarification Randy Oplinger explained an adjustment to the proposed Fish Lake spearfishing closure date.

00:10:29 Board Questions The Board asked about a proposed tagged Northern Pike fish regulation at Utah Lake.

https://youtu.be/G_0gXs9R_BA


00:12:25 Public Comments Director Fowlks summarized public comments received from the online presentation, and requested clarification on how the Board should present their motion on the 2021-2022 Fishing Recommendations.

00:14:11 Board/RAC Questions The Northeastern RAC expressed the desire to communicate a request for true reciprocity between Utah and Wyoming fishing licenses on Flaming Gorge interstate waters. Director Fowlks suggested that the Utah Wildlife Board draft a letter of request to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.

00:20:46 RAC Recommendations All RACs unanimously passed the recommendations. The Northern, Central and Southern RACs also agreed to support a true reciprocity letter of request to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.

00:23:11 Board Discussion There was discussion from the Board about whether or not fileting of kokanee salmon in the field at Fish Lake would be a valuable rule change. The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that the Wildlife Board write a letter to the State of Wyoming Game and Fish Commission requesting true reciprocity of state fishing licenses between the State of Utah and the State of Wyoming on the Flaming Gorge interstate waters. The following motion was made by Randy Dearth. The motion was not seconded, and the motion failed.

MOTION: I move that we allow filleting in the field of harvested kokanee salmon at Strawberry Reservoir as long as the skin is left intact. The following motion was made by Karl Hirst, seconded by Randy Dearth and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the Division’s recommendations as presented, with the addition that anglers return tagged Northern Pike on Utah Lake, but that the catch and kill order for the non-tagged Northern Pike remains in place.

00:36:22 6) Angler Opportunity Assessment Update (Informational) Craig Walker provided an update on the limited entry fishing action item.

7) Middle Provo River Update Jackie Watson gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.

00:39:06 Board/RAC Questions


There were no questions from the Board or RACs.

8) R657-62 Rule Amendments – Deployed Military (Action) Lindy Varney gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.

00:39:51 Public Comments Director Fowlks summarized public comments received from the online presentation.

00:40:06 Board/RAC Questions There were no questions from the Board or RACs.

00:30:43 RAC Recommendations The Central, Northeastern, Southern and Southeastern RACs unanimously passed the rule amendment as presented. The Northern RAC made a motion to accept the rule change as presented with the removal of the words “outside the continental U.S. and its territories.” That motion passed unanimously.

00:39:57 Board Discussion The Board asked for clarification of the legal scope of the definition of “resident deployed military members” as presented in the rule amendment proposal. Director Fowlks suggested that the motion could be expressed to define “deployment” as outside of the State of Utah. The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Donnie Hunter and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the rule amendment with a modification in the wording that states that in order to be eligible for this benefit the individual requesting the benefit must be on active duty and be deployed outside the State of Utah.

9) Conservation Permit Audit (Action) Kenny Johnson gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.

00:47:07 Public Comments There were no public comments received.

00:47:17 Board Questions There were no questions from the Board.

00:47:37 Board Discussion The Board praised the Division for its management of program funds accountability. The following motion was made by Karl Hirst, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the Conservation Permit Audit.


10) Conservation Permit Annual Report (Informational) Justin Shannon gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.

00:49:19 Board Questions There were no questions from the Board.

00:49:37 Public Comments There were no public comments received.

00:49:46 Board Discussion The Board thanked the Division for the presentation.

11) Cougar Conservation and Expo Permit Request (Action) Darren Debloois gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.


00:51:22 Board/RAC Questions There were no questions from the Board or the RACs.

00:51:34 Board Discussion The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded by Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we accept the request as presented. 12) Repeal Rule R657-38 Wildlife Sensitive Species (Action)

00:52:43 Public Comments Director Fowlks summarized public comments received from the September 16, 2020 Wildlife Board Work Session Meeting.

00:53:16 Board Questions The Board asked for clarification on the difference between the Wildlife Sensitive Species list and the species of greatest conservation concern and need listed in the Wildlife Action Plan, and also commented on the ostensible redundancy of the Sensitive Species list.

00:54:48

Board Discussion The following motion was made by Randy Dearth, seconded Wade Heaton and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we repeal Rule R657-38.


13) 2021 RAC/Board Dates (Action) Staci Coons gave a pre-recorded online presentation that was posted on the Division of Wildlife Resources website.


00:56:11 Board/RAC Questions There were no questions from the Board.

00:56:49 Board Discussion The following motion was made by Wade Heaton, seconded by Kevin Donnie and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the proposed 2021 RAC and Board meeting dates.

00:57:35 12) Other Business (Contingent) The Board thanked Division of Wildlife Resources Attorney General Martin Bushman for all the work that he has done for the Division, the State of Utah and the public, and for the support that he provided to the Wildlife Board.

01:00:46 Meeting adjourned.

Regional Advisory Council Meeting November 2020

Summary of Motions

1) - Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-Amendments (Action)

CR MOTION: Strike 657-9-34 3(a) and do not allow the placement of new blinds MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: Strike R657-9-30 3(a)(iv)(D) and do not create a retrieval zone around the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area rest area MOTION PASSES: 7-2 MOTION: Accept the remainder of the Division’s recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NR MOTION: I move to strike line one as written. Allow existing identified permanent blinds, but prohibit the construction of new blinds and prohibit any maintenance, replacement or reconstruction of existing blinds. All existing blinds, when they are no longer usable, will be retired or removed. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously

MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the recommendations as presented.

MOTION PASSES: Unanimously

SR MOTION: I move that we strike the language in rule R657-9-343(a) where it indicates the placement of any new permanent blind will require written permission from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and F.S.S.L. and accept the remainder of the Division's recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SER MOTION: Allow existing blinds but disallowing any new blinds. MOTION PASSES: 11-1 MOTION: Accept the remainder of the recommendations as presented by the DWR. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NER MOTION: To allow existing identified permanent blinds but prohibit construction of new blinds MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: To approve the remainder of the Waterfowl agenda as proposed. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously

2) 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments (Action)

Elk Any Bull Permits CR MOTION: Increase the any bull permits cap to 20,000, allow unlimited youth permits that do not count against cap and recommend the elk committee review this recommendations again in 2 years when they renew the plan. MOTION PASSES: 7-2 NR MOTION: I move to strike 7a from the line, increase the any bull cap to 20,000 and include unlimited youth elk permits on the general any bull permits and they not go towards the cap. Recommend the elk committee revisit the unlimited tags recommendation when they review the plan in 2 years. MOTION Passes: 11-1 SR MOTION: I move that we limit the number of any bull to 15,000, but have unlimited youth tags. MOTION PASSES: 9-3 SR MOTION: I move that we increase the any bull permits from 15,000 to 20,000. MOTION PASSES: 6-5 SER MOTION: regarding general season any bull tag to increase the number to an objective of 20,000 with an unlimited number for youth. MOTION PASSES: 8-3 NER MOTION: To reject the increase in general season bull elk quota. Ask the division to complete surveys and repackage the proposal and bring it back next year. MOTION PASSES: 8-2 NER MOTION: To withdraw the multi-season hunt from the general and spike hunt for adults and only allow youth under the age of 18 to purchase those permits. MOTION PASSES: 7-2 Elk Archery and HAMS hunt CR MOTION: Extend the archery hunt on any bull units by nine days MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NR MOTION: I move to extend archery any bull dates from Aug 21 to Sept 26. MOTION PASSES: 11-1 SR MOTION: I move that we accept the archery and HAMS hunts as presented, but change the season dates on the HAMS hunt to November 1st through the 15th. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SR MOTION: I move that we extend the archery any bull season dates by nine (9) days. MOTION PASSES: 11-1 NER MOTION: To leave the General Archery hunt as is and not extend the season. MOTION PASSES: 9-1

Elk Age Objectives and Limited Entry SER MOTION: Keep the age objective on Little Creek and the Central Mts Nebo as is, disregarding the DWR recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: 9-3 NER MOTION: TO keep the current objective of 7.5-8 year old bulls for Book Cliffs/Little Creek unit that as it is currently being managed. MOTION PASSES: 7-3 NER MOTION: To keep Deep Creek as is in its current management structure as limited entry hunt opportunity. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NER MOTION: TO leave Nine Mile Anthro a limited entry unit. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NER MOTION: TO suspend the Book Cliff spike hunt until more research can be completed. MOTION PASSES: 9-1 Bison CR MOTION: Recommend keeping Henry's bison archery only permit with 2 options on the season dates - 2 weeks before rifle hunt or a January hunt MOTION PASSES: 8-1 NR MOTION: I move not to discontinue the Bison Hunt, but move the Henry Mountain Bison Archery hunt dates to January. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SR MOTION: I move that we approve the recommendation to keep the Henry’s Bison archery only permit with two options on the season dates – to be between the hunter’s choice ALW and cow only hunts. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SER MOTION: To continue the bison hunters’ choice hunt on the Henry Mtns at available dates in January. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously Bighorn Sheep CR MOTION: Maintain the desert bighorn sheep archery hunt somewhere in the state. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SR MOTION: I move that we maintain a Desert Bighorn Sheep archery hunt opportunity somewhere in the State as determined by the Division of Wildlife Resources. MOTION PASSES: 8-2 SER MOTION: To create another archery bighorn sheep hunt to replace the Zion unit hunt. MOTION PASS: Unanimously

NER MOTION: To maintain the archery tag for Desert Bighorn sheep on a unit at the discretion of the Division. MOTION PASSES: 9 with one abstaining Dedicated Hunter CR MOTION: Change the number of dedicated hunter permits from 1 to 5 for units that are over the 15% cap. 4 resident and 1 non-resident. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously Remaining Motions CR MOTION: Accept the remainder of the Division’s recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NR MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments proposals as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SR MOTION: I move that we accept the remainder of the divison’s proposals as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SER MOTION: Motion to accept the remainder of the recommendations as presented by the DWR. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NER MOTION: To accept the rest of the 2021 Big Game Season, Dates, Changes and Amendments packet as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously

3) Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations (Action) CR MOTION: Accept the DWR’s recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: 8-1 NR, SR, NER MOTION: I move to accept Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SER MOTION: Increase the population objective on Elk Ridge from 1,000 to 2,000. MOTION PASSES: 10-1 MOTION: To accept the remainder of the proposal as presented by the DWR. MOTION PASSES: 10-1 4) Deer Management Plans- Unit Plan Revision Recommendations (Action) ALL RACs MOTION: Accept the DWR’s recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously

5) CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations (Action) CR MOTION: Not accept recommendation of cactus buck permits for the Alton CWMU. MOTION PASSES: 7-2 MOTION: Ask the Wildlife Board to direct the DWR to reassess the inclusion of accessible lands within CWMU's. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: Accept the remainder of the Division’s recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NR MOTION: I move to request the Wildlife Board and CWMU Advisory Committee to review accessible public land within a CWMU, to determine if it should be removed. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the presentation as presented, but to exclude the Cactus Buck Hunt on the Alton CWMU. MOTION PASSES: 8-4 SR MOTION: The Southern RAC recommends taking a generous approach to land owner tags. MOTION PASSES: 8-4 MOTION:To accept the rest of the Divisions recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously SER MOTION: To approve one tag per year to the San Juan Landowners. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: To accepted the remainder of the recommendations as presented by the DWR. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously NER MOTION: To accept CWMU recommendations as presented. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: To increase North Slope/Three corners from 2-5 tags as requested by LOA. MOTION PASSES: Unanimously MOTION: To leave numbers as is in the Book Cliff unit Elk – 6, Pronghorn -2, Deer -10 MOTION PASSES: 6-4 MOTION: To increase deer tags to 53 and the elk tags to 31 on the South Slope Diamond Mountain LOA permits MOTION PASSES: 7 with 3 abstaining MOTION: To require Diamond Mountain LOA to allow access of at least 25% of the public draw hunters to private DMLA enrolled lands. MOTION PASSES: 6-1 with 2 abstaining

Central Region RAC Meeting Video Conference

November 10, 2020 The meeting streamed live at https://youtu.be/qeUBXZ0l4Kk

Tuesday, November 20, 2020, 6:00 pm

1. Approval of Agenda – Brock McMillan, RAC chair

ACTION

2. Approval of Minutes – Brock McMillan, RAC chair

ACTION

3. Wildlife Board Meeting Update – Brock McMillan, RAC chair

INFORMATIONAL

4. Regional Update – Jason Vernon, Regional Supervisor

INFORMATIONAL

5. Waterfowl Recommendations and R657- Amendments – Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator

ACTION

6. 2021 Big Game Seasons, Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments

– Covy Jones, Big Game Coordinator

ACTION

7. Deer Management Plans – Population Objective Recommendations – Regional Presentations

ACTION

8. Deer Management Plans – Unit Plan Revision Recommendations – Regional Presentations

ACTION

9. CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations – Chad Wilson, Public Wildlife/Private Lands Coordinator

ACTION

Details of the specific recommendations can be found at www.wildlife.utah.gov In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - Persons needing special accommodations

(including auxiliary communicative aids and services) for this meeting, should contact Staci Coons at 801-538-4718, giving her at least five working days notice.

https://youtu.be/qeUBXZ0l4Kkabout:blank

Central Region RAC Meeting November 10, 2020

1

Central Region RAC Meeting Video Conference

November 10, 2020 Summary of Motions

1) Approval of Agenda

The following motion was made by Scott, seconded by Mike and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: To approve the agenda.

2) Approval of Minutes

The following motion was made by Scott, seconded by Mike and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: To approve the minutes of the September 1, 2020 Central Region RAC meeting.

3) Waterfowl Recommendations and R657- Amendments

The following motion was made by Ken, seconded by Josh and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Strike 657-9-34 3(a) and do not allow the placement of new blinds

The following motion was made by Scott, seconded by Josh and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Ben, Ken).

MOTION: Strike R657-9-30 3(a)(iv)(D) and do not create a retrieval zone around the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area rest area

The following motion was made by Scott, seconded by Ben and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Accept the remainder of the Division’s recommendations as presented.

4) 2021 Big Game Seasons, Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Scott and passed 8 in favor and 1 opposed (Mike).

MOTION: Recommend keeping Henry's bison archery only permit with 2 options on the season dates - 2 weeks before rifle hunt or a January hunt.


2

The following motion was made by Scott and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Accept the remainder of bison recommendations The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Josh and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Luke, Scott).

MOTION: Increase the any bull permits cap to 20,000, allow unlimited youth permits that do not count against cap and recommend the elk committee review this recommendations again in 2 years when they renew the plan.

The following motion was made by Ken and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Change the HAMS hunt season dates to Nov 1 – Nov 15. The following motion was made by Mike and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Recommend to the Wildlife Board to discontinue multi season elk permits.

The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Josh and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Extend the archery hunt on any bull units by nine days.

The following motion was made by Ken, seconded by Ben and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Maintain the desert bighorn sheep archery hunt somewhere in the state.

The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Scott and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Change the number of dedicated hunter permits from 1 to 5 for units that are over the 15% cap. 4 resident and 1 non-resident.

The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Mike and passed unanimously 9 in favor.


5) Deer Management Plans – Population Objective Recommendations

The following motion was made by Mike, seconded by Christine and passed 8 in favor and 1 opposed (Ken).

MOTION: Accept the DWR’s recommendations as presented.


3

6) Deer Management Plans – Unit Plan Revision Recommendations

The following motion was made by Josh, seconded by Scott and passed unanimously 9 in favor.


7) CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations

The following motion was made by Mike, seconded by Josh and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Christine, Ken).

MOTION: Not accept recommendation of cactus buck permits for the Alton CWMU.

The following motion was made by Ken and failed for lack of second. Second was withdrawn by Scott.

MOTION: Not recommend acceptance of Skull Valley CWMU due to the inclusion of public land.

The following motion was made by Scott and then withdrawn.

MOTION: Do not accept CWMU and LOA recommendations as presented by the Division.

The following motion was made by Josh, seconded by Scott and failed 4 in favor and 5 opposed (Ben, Christine, Ken, Mike, Brock). Chair voted to break tie.

MOTION: Not approve CWMU's with accessible public land. The following motion was made by Mike, seconded by Scott and passed unanimously.

MOTION: Ask the Wildlife Board to direct the DWR to reassess the inclusion of accessible lands within CWMU's.

The following motion was made by Ben, seconded by Ken and passed unanimously.



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Central Region RAC Meeting November 10, 2020 Online Attendance

Wildlife Board Members

Karl Hirst Randy Dearth

RAC Members

Brock McMillan – Chair Ben Lowder – Co Chair A J Mower - excused Michael Christensen Joshua Lenart Luke Decker Eric Reid Scott Jensen Steve Lund - absent Danny Potts Christine Schmitz Ken Strong Jacob Steele – absent

DWR Personnel

Jason Vernon Scott Root Covy Jones Jason Robinson Greg Hansen Staci Coons Blair Stringham Dax Mangus Lindy Varney Guy Wallace Chad Wilson Teresa Griffin Riley Peck James Christensen

Kent Hersey


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Public invited to join online: https://youtu.be/qeUBXZ0l4Kk


Springville, Utah

00:00:20 RAC Chair Brock McMillan called the meeting to order. He called the roll of RAC members and indicated which UDWR personnel were present on the broadcast. He explained the process that there will be no live presentations or public comments taken during the meeting.

00:13:27 1) Approval of Agenda (Action) The following motion was made by Scott Jensen, and seconded by Ben Lowder and passed unanimously.

MOTION: To approve the agenda for the Central Region RAC meeting.

00:13:27 2) Approval of Minutes (Action) The following motion was made by Scott Jensen, and seconded by Ben Lowder and passed unanimously.

MOTION: To approve the minutes of September 1, 2020 Central Region RAC meeting.

00:14:15

3) Wildlife Board Meeting (Informational) RAC Chair Brock McMillan updated the RAC.

00:16:25 4) DWR Update (Informational) Jason Vernon updated the RAC on all regional activities.

00:25:25 5) Waterfowl Recommendations and R657- Amendments – Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator (Action) A pre-recorded presentation was provided online on the Division website prior to the meeting: https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html

00:26:10 Public Comments Jason Vernon summarized public comments received from the online presentation

00:26:52 RAC Questions The RAC members asked questions regarding permanent blinds on the Willard Spur and the possibility of new blinds. Who would have the liability associated with these blinds? Is there a map of the current locations for the public to use? If no ownership of the blinds, is it on a first come basis for usage. If the division issues a permit, does that give them usage over someone that does not have a permit? Are there problems with the groups that built them feeling as if they retain ownership? Is this setting a precedent for people wanting permanent blinds on other WMA’s?

https://youtu.be/qeUBXZ0l4Kkhttps://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html


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00:40:45 RAC Discussion It was felt that there is a safety issue with adding more blinds. They were concerned that some blinds may be built randomly. There needs to be an informational aspect to this that the public know where the current blinds are located.

00:42:10 The following motion was made by Ken Strong, and seconded by Josh Lenart and passed unanimously, 9 in favor.

MOTION: Strike 657-9-34 3(a) and do not allow the placement of new blinds on the Willard Spur WMA.

00:47:38 RAC Questions Questions about creating a retrieval zone around Farmington Bay WMA rest area. How large is the rest area? Can someone enter it in a boat to harass the waterfowl, would there be a physical boundary separating the retrieval zone and where no one could to trespass? Do people hunt with dogs in this area? Are there other retrieval zones on WMA’s because of the same issues?

00:50:05 RAC Discussion There were concerns people entering to flush the ducks for their friends, and boundaries within boundaries can be confusing. Would the area be very obviously marked, and should we not be leaning to more consistency throughout the state.

00:51:53 The following motion was made by Scott Jensen, seconded by Josh Lenart and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Ben Lowder, Ken Strong).

MOTION: Strike R657-9-30 3(a)(iv)(D) and do not create a retrieval zone around the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area rest area.

00:58:00 The following motion was made by Scott Jensen, seconded by Ben Lowder and passed unanimously 9 in favor.


00:59:30

6) 2021 Big Game Seasons, Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments (action) – Covy Jones, Big Game Coordinator

A pre-recorded presentation was provided online on the Division website prior to the meeting: https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html

00:59:50 Public Comments Jason Vernon summarized public comments received from the online presentation.

01:00:35 RAC Questions The RAC members asked about eliminating the Henry’s bison archery only hunts. Is it possible to change the season dates and not cancel? How do we know it is archery hunters causing the movement on the unit, are there actual dates or target dates to

https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html


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keep the bison on the summer range? Would reducing the tag numbers stop the bison from moving, and questions regarding drawing odds, would moving the hunt to January work, or moving the archery hunt back, what was the success rates for the archery hunts, compared to the any legal weapon. How much rest do the bison get between the different weapon hunts?

01:15:30 RAC Discussion There was discussion about keeping the archery hunts and just move the dates. The

concern was regarding the success rate, which is higher for archery, than anticipated, and would pushing back the hunt dates to two weeks before the any legal weapon hunt work. There may be frustration if the archery overlaps with the any legal weapon hunts.

01:21:15 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Scott Jensen and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Recommend keeping Henry's bison archery only permit with 2 options on the season dates - 2 weeks before rifle hunt or a January hunt.

01:25:00 The following motion was made by Scott Jensen and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Accept the remainder of bison recommendations

01:25:30 RAC Questions The RAC asked questions regarding the recommendations on the any bull hunts. They asked about the HAMS hunts and the use of scopes on muzzleloaders. Is it possible to allow youth tags be unlimited, or that the pandemic caused this problem? When the multi-season permits became available, did very many archery hunters switch to the multi-season permits? Can we increase the opportunity but without going unlimited?

01:47:05 RAC Discussion The comments from the public that responded to this proposal were discussed. The possibility to increase to 20,000 any bull tags, or to just make the youth tags unlimited, and should the multi-season tags be limited.

01:58:18 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Josh Lenart and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Luke Decker, Scott Jensen).

MOTION: Increase the any bull permits cap to 20,000, allow unlimited youth permits that do not count against cap and recommend the elk committee review this recommendations again in 2 years when they renew the plan.

02:04:57 RAC Questions The RAC was questioning the Deep Creeks changing to a HAMS hunt and the difficulty of hunting in the area. How long are these HAMS hunt? Would these hunts help with the points creep problem? There were questions on the changes with age on the Nebo unit for bull elk. What was the problem with the Dedicated Hunter


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this year and the reason for the rule change? Is the Dedicated Hunter program set at 15% or can it be changed?

02:10:00 RAC Discussion These hunts were designed to give anyone an opportunity to hunt, but on the Deep Creeks it is rugged and a difficult area to hunt. The season dates are too long on the HAMS hunts. There was discussion on eliminating the multi-season elk tags or reduce the number of multi-season tags available, and extend the archery any bull season by adding nine days, going further into the rut. Is it possible to maintain the Zion archery desert big horn sheep hunt and possibly rotate through a couple other units?

02:11:25 The following motion was made by Ken Strong and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Change the HAMS hunt season dates to Nov 1 – Nov 15.

02:15:25 The following motion was made by Mike Christensen and failed for lack of second.

MOTION: Recommend to the Wildlife Board to discontinue multi season elk permits.

02:25:45 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Josh Lenart and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Extend the archery hunt on any bull units by nine days.

02:30:30 The following motion was made by Ken Strong, seconded by Ben Lowder and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Maintain the desert bighorn sheep archery hunt somewhere in the state.

02:42:30 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Scott Jensen and passed unanimously 9 in favor.

MOTION: Change the number of dedicated hunter permits from 1 to 5 for units that are over the 15% cap. 4 resident and 1 non-resident.

02:45:20 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Mike Christensen and passed unanimously 9 in favor.


02:46:15 7) Deer Management Plans – Population Objective Recommendations (Action) – Regional Presentations





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02:49:00 RAC Questions The RAC asked to table these discussions when in person meetings would be and the purpose of pushing this through now. Is predator management a part of the plan, and does carrying capacity taken into account for the fluctuation of numbers due other reasons? Shouldn’t the perception of the public be important? Is it possible to put together a note that explains the plan, its purpose, and objectives? Is there a point where we could reach objective and then begin issuing doe tags, even if they have healthy body conditioning?

02:58:10 RAC Discussions The population objectives are the biological sideboards and social issues are not a factor. We have to adjust and need to move on realizing this situation is not ideal but it is the present day situation. If we have had these objectives in place, on the Monroe unit five years ago, it would not be a decimated the herd with overpopulation. We do not want to get into a problem where we are having to harvest does on a healthy population. Knowing that these objectives will be addressed every five years help alleviate the concerns expressed.

03:13:20 The following motion was made by Mike Christensen, seconded by Christine Schmitz and passed 8 in favor and 1 opposed (Ken Strong).


03:15:05 8) Deer Management Plans – Unit Plan Revision Recommendations (Action) - Regional Presentations



03:15:55 RAC Questions The RAC members asked about the reasoning for moving the San Juan from 15-17 to an 18-20, how does it affect permit numbers?

03:17:05 RAC Discussion No discussion

03:17:53 The following motion was made by Josh Lenart, seconded by Scott Jensen and passed unanimously 9 in favor.


03:19:00 9) CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations (Action)

– Chad Wilson, Public Wildlife/Private Lands Coordinator



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03:19:28 RAC Questions The RAC members asked if the public is under-informed about the dedicated hunter program. Information about the permit allocation between bucks, bulls, and antlerless, hunter access, and how public lands within the areas are dealt with. The status of the Coyote Little Pool CWMU, and questions about the cactus buck tags proposed be given to the Alton CWMU and what are the hunt dates for that hunt? If the hunt is early, who determines which would be considered cactus bucks when all bucks are still in the velvet? What are the dates for the cactus hunt and how many permits? If they need more tags, ask for more CWMU tags not get special tags. When will the CWMU committee be convened and review the rule?

03:41:00 RAC Discussions Is there a reason to target these cactus deer on the ranch, not later after they leave, and what is considered a disproportionate number of cactus bucks? How many other CWMU’s would ask for the same opportunity and this would set a precedent we may not want. They discussed public land that has public accessibility be removed from the CWMU’s. Commercial activities on federal lands require permits how many CWMU’s have obtained these permits. Concerned that a blanket disapproval is not a good idea, and understand that the state has issues with checkerboard land that is completely within the CWMU to be included in that CWMU.

03:47:19 The following motion was made by Mike Christensen, seconded by Josh Lenart and passed 7 in favor and 2 opposed (Christine Schmitz, Ken Strong).

MOTION: Not accept recommendation of cactus buck permits for the Alton CWMU.

03:52:42 The following motion was made by Ken Strong and failed for lack of second. Second was withdrawn by Scott Jensen.

MOTION: Not recommend acceptance of Skull Valley CWMU due to the inclusion of public land.

03:59:20 The following motion was made by Scott Jensen and then withdrawn.

MOTION: Do not accept CWMU and LOA recommendations as presented by the Division.

04:10:00 The following motion was made by Josh Lenart, seconded by Scott Jensen and failed 4 in favor and 5 opposed (Ben Lowder, Christine Schmitz, Ken Strong, Mike Christensen, Brock McMullin). Chair voted to break tie.

MOTION: Not approve CWMU's with accessible public land.



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04:17:41 The following motion was made by Mike Christensen, seconded by Scott Jensen and passed unanimously.

MOTION: Ask the Wildlife Board to direct the DWR to reassess the inclusion of accessible lands within CWMU's.

04:19:36 The following motion was made by Ben Lowder, seconded by Ken Strong and passed unanimously.


04:21:50 Meeting adjourned.

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RAC AGENDA – November 12, 2020 Electronic Meetings Only

1. Welcome, RAC Introductions and RAC Procedure - RAC Chair 2. Approval of Agenda and Minutes ACTION - RAC Chair 3. Wildlife Board Meeting Update INFORMATIONAL - RAC Chair 4. Regional Update INFORMATIONAL - Ben Nadolski, Northern Regional Supervisor 5. Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-Amendments ACTION - Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator 6. 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments ACTION - Covy Jones, Big Game Coordinator 7. Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations ACTION - Regional Presentations 8. Deer Management Plans- Unit Plan Revision Recommendations ACTION - Regional Presentations 9. CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations ACTION -Chad Wilson, Public Wildlife/Private Lands Coordinator

Meeting Locations CR RAC – Nov. 10th 6:00 PM SER RAC – Nov. 18th 6:30 PM https://youtu.be/qeUBXZ0l4Kk https://youtu.be/9QSBViwMV0E NR RAC – Nov. 12th Thursday 6:00 PM SR RAC – Nov. 17th 6:00 PM https://youtu.be/TxVcQBVpacA https://youtu.be/rTD0u0d7FJw NER RAC – Nov. 19th 6:30 PM Board Meeting – December 3rd 9:00 AM https://youtu.be/8t7rVxnl3qE https://youtu.be/8t7rVxnl3qE Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of the virus to spread from person to person, the Governor has implemented a number of Executive Orders directed at controlling spread of the virus by minimizing face-to-face interactions. Public gatherings are strongly discouraged by the CDC, State of Utah, and local health departments since they facilitate face-to-face contact and pose an elevated risk for virus transmission. The Division of Wildlife Resources and the chair of this public body have determined that public gathering at Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings presents a substantial risk to the health and safety of those who attend—and will conduct this meeting using a fully electronic format. This meeting format is authorized by recent amendment to the Utah Code1 and Executive Order by Utah Governor Gary Herbert2—and will be temporarily used in place of the in-person public meetings that usually occur around the state. Anyone wishing to comment on agenda topics in future meetings or to observe this meeting may do so by logging on to the Division’s webpage at https://wildlife.utah.gov/feedback.html where instructions and links are provided. 1 Utah Code Section 52-4-207(4). 2 Executive Order Suspending the Enforcement of Provisions of Utah Code §§ 52-4-202 and 52-4-207, and Related State Agency Orders, Rules, and Regulations, Due to Infectious Disease COVID-19 Novel, March 18, 2020.

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Regional Advisory Council Meeting

Summary of Motions

1) Approval of Agenda and Minutes (Action) The following motion was made by Matt Klar, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to approve the Agenda and the Minutes. 2) Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-Amendments (Action)

The following motion was made by Casey Snider, seconded by Matt Klar and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move to strike line one as written. Allow existing identified permanent blinds, but prohibit the construction of new blinds and prohibit any maintenance, replacement or reconstruction of existing blinds. All existing blinds, when they are no longer usable, will be retired or removed.

The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Ryan Brown and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the recommendations as

presented. 3) 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments (Action)

The following motion was made by Casey Snider, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed For: 11 Against:1 Ryan Brown

MOTION: I move to strike 7a from the line, increase the any bull cap to 20,000 and include unlimited youth elk permits on the general any bull permits and they not go towards the cap. Recommend the elk committee revisit the unlimited tags recommendation when they review the plan in 2 years.

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The following motion was made by Aaron Johnson, seconded by Chris Hoagstrom and passed For: 11 Against: 1. Paul Chase

MOTION: I move to extend archery Any bull dates from Aug 21 to Sept 26.

The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Aaron Johnson and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move not to discontinue the Bison Hunt, but move the Henry

Mountain Bison Archery hunt dates to January. The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Matt Klar and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments proposals as presented.

4) Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations (Action) The following motion was made by Kevin McLeod, seconded by Ryan Brown and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to accept Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations as presented. 5) Deer Management Plans- Unit Plan Revision Recommendations (Action) The following motion was made by Ryan Brown, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move to accept Deer Management Plans- Unit Plan Revision Recommendations as presented.

6) CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations (Action) The following motion was made by Emily Jensco, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously

MOTION: I move to request the Wildlife Board and CWMU Advisory Committee to review accessible public land within a CWMU, to determine if it should be removed. The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Paul Chase and failed. For: 4 Against: 8. Ryan Brown, Chris Hoagstrom, Matt Klar, Mike Laughter, Kevin McLeod, Darren Parry, Kristin Purdy, Casey Snider.

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MOTION: I move not to start the Cactus Buck Hunt until Sept 20. The following motion was made by Mike Laughter seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed For: 8 Against: 4. Paul Chase, Emily Jensco, Matt Klar, Kevin McLeod.

MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the presentation as presented, but to exclude the Cactus Buck Hunt on the Alton CWMU.

The following motion was made by Kevin McLeod, seconded Mike Laughter and passed unanimous. MOTION: To Adjourn.

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Northern Regional Advisory Council Meeting

November 12, 2020 Attendance

RAC Members Justin Oliver – Chair Ryan Brown Aaron Johnson Mike Laughter-Vice Chair Ben Nadolski-Exec Secretary

Paul Chase Christopher Hoagstrom

Matt Klar Kevin McLeod

Randy Hutchison Emily Jensco

Darren Parry Kristin Purdy Casey Snider

Board Member RAC Excused David Earl Junior Goring

Division Personnel Jodie Anderson Paul Gedge Hayley Smith Mike Christensen Jim Christensen Covy Jones Blair Stringham Lindy Varney

David Smedley Staci Coons Sydney Lamb Eric Anderson

Chad Wilson Bryan Christensen

Greg Hansen Guy Wallace

David Beveridge Justin Shannon

Kent Hersey Teresa Griffin

NRAC: 11/12/20 Page 6/11

Regional Advisory Council Meeting November 12, 2020

Attendance https://youtu.be/TxVcQBVpacA

00:00:36 Chairman Justin Oliver called the meeting to order, welcomed the audience, reviewed the meeting procedures, and had the Board and RAC members introduce themselves.

00:07:22 1) Approval of Agenda and Minutes (Action) The following motion was made by Matt Klar, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move that we approve the Agenda and Minutes.

00:09:30 2) Update from past Wildlife Board Meeting by Ben Nadolski Motion to write a letter to Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regarding state fishing licenses on Flaming Gorge which passed unanimously. Motion was made to allow flaying kokanee salmon at Strawberry Reservoir which failed due to a lack of a second. Motion to accept the Divisions recommendations with the addition that anglers return tagged northern pike on Utah lake which passed unanimously. Motion to accept rule amendments related to deployed military with modifications which passed unanimously. Motion to accept conservation permit audit, passed unanimously. Motion to pass rule R657-38, unanimously. Motion to approve 2021 RAC meeting dates which passed unanimously.

00:13:08

3) Regional Update- Ben Nadolski, Regional Supervisor (Informational)

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Waterfowl- hunting picking up. Seeing lots of pheasants. Good brine shrimp season. Cyst counts high. Wildlife- Post hunt classifications. Habitat- Guzzlers in the West Desert. Wildlife- Responding to nuisance and conflict issues. Outreach- Youth pheasant hunt this Saturday. COVID problems and managing resources and staff. WMA’s- Temporary shooting closure in northern and central region. 13 swans harvested for the season. Volunteer opportunities are limited.

00:20:58 4) Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-Amendments (Action) Presentations could be viewed at https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials- minutes.html

00:22:02 Electronic Public Comment Report by Ben Nadolski 374 pages of public comment. 36.25% opposed, 23.75% support, 40% neutral. Summary of public comments.

00:24:39 Questions from RAC Members Clarification where proposal came from for new blinds and managing existing blinds.

00:28:29 RAC discussion/Division Clarification and Motions Clarification given by Casey Snider regarding blinds and regulations. Allowing existing blinds only to stay. Measure in place until no longer used or eliminated. Language changes and clarifying wording. Feedback received from public and quality of habitat. Phragmites control and improving road through Willard Bay to west side. Comments from three different organizations voicing opposition.

The following motion was made by Casey Snider, seconded by Matt Klar and passed unanimously.

MOTION: I move to strike line one as written. Allow existing identified permanent blinds, but prohibit the construction of new blinds and prohibit any maintenance, replacement or reconstruction of existing blinds. All existing blinds, when they are no longer usable, will be retired or removed. The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Matt Klar and passed unanimously.

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MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the recommendations as presented.

00:54:40 5) 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments (Action)

Presentations could be viewed at https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html

00:55:05 Electronic Public Comment Report by Ben Nadolski, Regional Supervisor 68.13% opposed, 8.75% support and 23.13% neutral. Resistance to the unlimited any bull recommendation. Concerns about being financial vs. biological decision. Overcrowding and impacting hunt quality. Opportunity and pressure on public lands. Muzzleloaders not being primitive weapon. Reduce non-resident permits. Multi-season permits in archery hunt. Season date proposals. Support adding areas to any bull hunt.

01:02:41 Questions from RAC Members New 5-day hunt and discontinued hunt. Concern about HAMS hunt being really long. Information given about background of hunts by Covy Jones. Discontinuing limited entry hunts and concerns about compounding draw issues with point creep. Reservations regarding selling out of licenses and 3 season tags. Dedicated hunter program for elk. Projections on how many tags to be sold. Concern about decimating elk herds and collar study. Perception of quality or opportunity. Letter discussing general archery season tag and extending dates by 9 days. Quality vs. quantity and not accusing the division of making recommendations based on making money. Overlap with youth hunt and extended archery season. Concerned that public comments were not given regarding the letter. Comments regarding SFW letter. Computer issues on getting tags sold this past year. Archery tag extended season goes from August 21st-September 17th.

01:05:06 RAC discussion/Division Clarification and Motions Applaud DWR in examining objective numbers. Appreciate long season proposal. Concerned about public opposition against proposal. Emails received regarding education received after Central RAC. The following motion was made by Casey Snider, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed For: 11, Against:1 Ryan Brown

MOTION: I move to strike 7a from the line, increase the any bull cap to 20,000 and include unlimited youth elk permits on the general any bull permits and they not go towards the cap. Recommend the elk committee revisit the unlimited tags recommendation when they review the plan in 2 years.

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The following motion was made by Aaron Johnson, seconded by Chris Hoagstrom and passed For: 11 Against: 1. Paul Chase MOTION: I move to extend archery Any bull dates from Aug 21 to Sept 26.

The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Aaron Johnson and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move not to discontinue the Bison Hunt, but move the Henry Mountain Bison Archery hunt dates to January. The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Matt Klar and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of 2021 Big Game Season Key Dates, Hunt Changes and Rule Amendments proposals as presented.

03:03:55 6) Deer Management Plans-Population Objective Recommendations (Action) Presentations could be viewed at https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials- minutes.html.

03:04:27 Electronic Public Comment Report by Ben Nadolski, Regional Supervisor Northern Region: 14.37% opposed, 20% support and 65.63% neutral. Northeast Region: 13.13% opposed, 14.37% support and 72.5% neutral. Central Region: 11.25% opposed, 13.75% and 75% neutral.

03:10:14 Questions from RAC Members Objectives higher than populations. Reduced numbers and deer populations. Growing deer population in a responsible way. Improved habitat and increase deer population.

03:18:04 RAC discussion/Division Clarification and Motions Division does a good job collecting data. The following motion was made by Kevin McLeod, seconded by Ryan Brown and passed unanimous.


03:20:20 7) Deer Management Plans- Unit Plan Revision Recommendations (Action)

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Presentations could be viewed at https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html

03:20:41 Electronic Public Comment Report by Ben Nadolski, Regional Supervisor Southern region: 15% opposed, 11.88% supported and 73.13 neutral. Southeast region: 13.13% opposed, 14.37% support and 72.5% neutral. Same comments and sentiments from the past item applied to this also.

03:21:27 Questions from RAC Members No questions.

03:22:10 RAC discussion/Division Clarification and Motions The following motion was made by Ryan Brown , seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously.


03:23:42 8) CWMU and Landowner 2021 Permit Recommendations (Action) Presentations could be viewed at https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials- minutes.html

03:24:07 Electronic Public Comment Report by Ben Nadolski, Regional Supervisor

17.5% opposed, 16.25% support and 66.25% neutral. Desire for more transparency and equal treatment for public hunters.

03:24:44 Questions from RAC Members

Complaint process and approvals explained by Chad Wilson. Explanation of CWMU process. Recommendation to look into public ground and accessible ground in CWMU’s and removing that. Where to find information about trade out lands. Establishing boundaries between public lands and CWMU’s. Landowner units and increased numbers of permits for each species recommended. Recommendations based on acreage. CWMU advisory council review of public land and inclusion of federal agencies. Formal recommendation requirements request. Public land counted in acreage clarification. Approval of permit numbers for CWMU’s recommended and reduce in numbers with limited animals.

03:52:19 RAC discussion/Division Clarification and Motions

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Concern about extending variances for CWMU’s. Support CWMU’s and effort made to provide opportunity and habitat. Public ground access not to be included in CWMU’s.

The following motion was made by Emily Jensco, seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed unanimously. MOTION: I move to request the Wildlife Board and CWMU Advisory Committee to review accessible public land within a CWMU, to determine if it should be removed. The following motion was made by Randy Hutchison, seconded by Paul Chase and failed. For: 4 Against: 8. Ryan Brown, Chris Hoagstrom, Matt Klar, Mike Laughter, Kevin McLeod, Darren Parry, Kristin Purdy, Casey Snider. MOTION: I move not to start the Cactus Buck Hunt until Sept 20. The following motion was made by Mike Laughter seconded by Randy Hutchison and passed For: 8 Against: 4. Paul Chase,Emily Jensco,Matt Klar,Kevin McLeod.

MOTION: I move to accept the remainder of the presentation as presented, but to exclude the Cactus Buck Hunt on the Alton CWMU.

04:27:27 Motion to adjourn made by Kevin McLeod, seconded by Mike Laughter and passed unanimously.

Regional Advisory Council Meeting

November 17, 2020 6:00 p.m.

Attendance

RAC MEMBERS

Brayden Richmond Tammy Pearson Austin Atkinson Dan Fletcher Bart Battista Riley Roberts Gene Boardman Verland King Chad Utley Nick JorgensenSean Kelly Craig Laub

Division Personnel

Kevin Bunnell Phil Tuttle Denise Gilgen Alyssa Jackson Teresa Griffin Jason Nicholes Covy Jones Chad Wilson James Christensen Kent Hersey Kyle Christensen Lynn Zubeck Michael Christensen Paul Washburn Blair Stringham Vance Mumford Guy Wallace Randy Dearth Chad Wilson

Wildlife Board Members

Donny Hunter

Southern Regional Advisory County Meeting November 17, 2020

6:00 p.m. 00:00:02 1) Welcome

Chairman Brayden Richmond called the meeting to order, welcomed the audience, reviewed the meeting procedures, and had the Board and RAC

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Members introduce themselves.

Brayden Richmond: Welcome to the Southern Region RAC on November 17th starting at 6:00 pm. I want to welcome the members of the RAC and the public that’s able to watch. Again, we are doing this broadcast, we are not meeting in person. In fact we’ll start the meeting off reading the note on that. It says, “Due to Covid-19 pandemic and the ability of the virus to spread from person to person the Governor has implemented a number of executive orders directed to controlling the spread of the virus by minimizing face to face interactions. Public gatherings are strongly discouraged by the CDC, the State of Utah and local health departments. Since they facilitate face to face contact and impose and impose an elevated risk of virus transmissions. The DWR and the Chair of this public body have determined that RACs and Wildlife Board meetings present a substantial risk to the health and safety to those that attend and will conduct this meeting using a fully electronic format. This meeting format is authorized by recent amendment to the Utah code and by executive order by Governor Gary Herbert and will be temporarily used in place of the in person public meetings that usually occur around the state. Anyone wishing to comment on agenda comments in future meetings or to observe this meeting may do so by logging into the Divisions webpage.” So, appreciate everyone being here, it’s unfortunate that this is still where we’re at, but as we’ve all seen the rise of Covid cases in Utah the last couple weeks I think we all knew that this is where we were going to be. It will be interesting to see how many more meetings we do this way. I know there has been a lot of concern expressed and I express the same concern, especially on this meeting. It's unfortunate that it’s not a normal format with the public, and this is kind of one of the big meetings of the year, but we’ll do the best we can. I guess one comment I’ll make before we start is, although we don’t have the public in the meeting, we may have received the most feedback I’ve ever seen at a meeting prior to the meeting, which we’ve all had a chance to review and read. In some regards that’s a good thing and hopefully people will continue to send feedback before the meeting, even when we are person to person I think it’s very valuable. It’s unfortunate we don’t have a public meeting where we can talk face to face, we lose some interaction there. But we’ll do the best we can and continue forward. I appreciate the RAC here. We’re almost a full RAC, we’re missing just one person tonight. Thanks everyone for making time and being here. With that we’ll pause here and introduce the RAC. (RAC introductions- see above)

Brayden Richmond: With that, let’s move to the first item on the agenda

and that’s the approval of the agenda and minutes. If there are any questions there? Or I’d entertain a motion to approve the agenda and minutes. 00:06:26 2) Approval of Agenda and Minutes (Action)

The following motion was made by Tammy Pearson, seconded by Nick Jorgensen . Motion passed unanimously. MOTION: I move that we approve the agenda and minutes as presented.

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Brayden Richmond: Okay and we’ll just do a roll call like we have in the past too. Austin?

Austin Atkinson: Yes.

Bart Battista: Yes.

Gene Boardman: Yes.

Chad Utley: Yes.

Nick Jorgensen: Yes.

Sean Kelly: Yes.

Verland King: n/a

Craig Laub: Yes.

Tammy Pearson: Yes.

Dan Fletcher: Yes.

Brayden Richmond: Okay, great. Thank you.

00:07:23 3) Wildlife Board Meeting Update by RAC Chair, Brayden Richmond

Brayden Richmond: Ok, great. The next item is the Wildlife meeting update. I’ll just read down the motions that were made at the last Wildlife Board. There were quite a few motions so bear with me as we go through all of these. So the first motion that the Wildlife Board write a letter to Wyoming Game and Fish Commission requesting true reciprocity of the state fishing licenses between the state of Utah and the state of Wyoming on the Flaming Gorge interstate waters, and that motion passed unanimously. The next motion was that they allow falaying in the field of harvested Kokanee Salmon at Strawberry Reservoir as long as the skin was left intact. That motion failed for a lack of a second. The next motion was that they moved to accept the Divisions recommendations as presented with the addition that Anglers return tagged northern pike on Utah Lake, but that the catch and kill order for the non-tagged northern pike remain in place, that motion passed unanimously. The next motion was that they accept the rule and amendments with modification in wording that states that in order to be eligible for this benefit the individual requesting this benefit must be on active duty and be deployed outside the state of Utah. Sorry, that was in reference to the rule amendment to deployed military and that passed unanimously. The conservation permit audit, they moved that they accept the conservation permit audit and that passed unanimously. On the cougar conservation and expo permit request, that was moved to accept the request as presented and that

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passed unanimously. On the wildlife sensitive species, it was moved that they repeal rule 657-38 and that passed unanimously. And finally, the RAC and Board dates were moved to pass as presented and that passed unanimously. Anybody have any questions there or any clarifications? Alright, we’re going to move on to the regional update and I’ll turn it to Kevin for the regional update.

00:09:50 4) Regional Update (Informational) - Kevin Bunnell, SRO Regional Supervisor

Kevin Bunnell: Ok, thank you Brayden. I’ll be brief because of the length of our agenda tonight. First from our outreach section, we were able to hold several of our youth pheasant hunts, even had protocols in place that we were able to hold those successfully. We had four events in the Southern region with a total of 191 participants in those four events. They all went off very well. The other thing from our outreach section was the perch tournament up at Fish Lake, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, it’s going to be a little different this year, we will still have it, but there won't be a big kick off event. It will kind of be a big 8 month long tagged fish contest where there will be prizes available and there will be two different drawings; one that will take place in April, and one that will take place the first part of September with some larger prizes from the fish that get turned in. From our wildlife section we will continue releasing pheasants for the next three weeks on Fridays and Wednesdays at several locations across the region, and those are available on our website. Starting post season deer classification and we’ve got a lot of captures coming up in the next few weeks. One concerning thing that’s going on is we do have some sort of disease event going on in the Pine Valley, it’s pretty localized down around the community of Dammeron Valley. We think it’s EHD which is a hemorrhagic disease that deer get sometimes, but we’re following up with our agency veterinarian to get that figured out. From our law enforcement section I’m sorry to report that Hal Stout who is our investigator has announced his retirement. He will be with us through the end of the year, but that will be a big hole in our law enforcement section that we’ll have to fill. I wanted to express appreciation on behalf of Josh Carver, he has a couple of kids that have some pretty significant medical issues. There have been several community fund raising events that I know members of the community and members of the Division have really rallied around Josh’s family, and that’s much appreciated. We’ve got several significant poaching incidents that have happened in the region that are being investigated, and we hope will end in prosecutions, but those take a while to develop. From our aquatics section, and this is pretty exciting, the construction on the Lakeside Marina up at Fish Lake should be completed by December 1st. That will allow access to Fish Lake to larger boats. It will be a deeper marina than they’ve had available there for a long time. The way the current marina is, it limits the size of boats that can be launched at Fish Lake, this will change that. They’re also putting in a couple of aerators that will keep that marina open, so that boats will have access to the lake later in the fall. Right now it usually happens that the marinas freeze over before the rest of the lake and lose maybe up to six weeks of fishing on the lake just because people can’t get their boats on the lake. So that’s an exciting change that’s taking place. From the habitat section, this is a

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busy time of year for them, especially with the fire rehab and they’re trying to get as much done on their WRI projects as they can before the snow flies, so there’s a lot of work going on in the habitat section. We have lost Rhett Boswel from our habitat section, he took a job with the Forest Service. And so that will be a hard skill set to replace. Rhett was our GIS specialist that supported all of our different sections, so we’ll be trying to be careful with that hire to make sure we get a skill set that can replace Rhett and bring that expertise back into the region. And that’s all I have, unless there are any questions?

Brayden Richmond: No questions, we’ll go ahead and move on. Thanks

Kevin. I apologize for giving you a strange look, I was embarrassed that I forgot your name, and I was laughing at myself. So that’s what that was. Let’s move on to #5, the Waterfowl Recommendations and Amendments.

00:00:00 5) Waterfowl Recommendations and R657-Amendements (Action)

Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Program Recommendations

Presentations could be viewed at

https://wildlife.utah.gov/online-board.html

Brayden Richmond: Before we jump into this, let’s review real quick. What we’ll do is we’ll have questions from the RAC, then we’ll have comments from the RAC, then we’ll take a recommendation. On this one I think after watching the other two RACs I think it would be wise to have Blair add a little bit of clarification on this one. We had a fair amount of public comment on this one. So even though this is outside of our region and we may not feel overly invested on this one in our Region, we did have a lot of public comment on this one and I think we need to address it, hopefully quickly, and I think with Blairs clarification it will help us as I’ve watched what he’s said in the other RACs. So Blair, would you mind just adding to this a little bit and helping us understand what the concerns from the public were and the Divisions recommendation?

Blair Stringham: Yeah, I’d be happy to Brayden. The reason why you’re seeing this is we put together a committee about a year ago to address the Willard Spur waterfowl area. That’s a property that we acquired through some legislation in 2019. So, part of that legislation was to get a group together and talk about some of the issues so we could formulate a plan on the area. One of the issues we had is that area has about 20 permanent blinds that have existed there for quite a few years now. The group, after talking about it, wanted to maintain those blinds, they’re basically structures just randomly placed across the WMA. In order to do that, we had to have some kind of process in place just to know where they were and if they were being taken care of and things like that. So we met with one of our sister agencies, Forestry Fire and State Land, that help jointly manage that property with us, and we decided to have people get permits to essentially keep those structures out there. That would allow us to know where they are and know that they’re being taken care of as well as mitigate any liability of having those structures out there on the marsh. So, basically

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this recommendation is to try to put a process in place that will allow us to have the blinds out there but to have a permit process in place for those structures. As Brayden mentioned there have been a lot of comments about it and the one thing that is probably worth noting is both of our agencies aren’t really interested in having any new blinds out there so one thing to consider is potentially dropping that new language out of the rule recommendation which would probably satisfy that, and allow us to have the permit process but not allow any new blinds on that property.

Brayden Richmond: Ok, great Blair, thank you. Kevin, do you want to summarize public comments on this one? And then we’ll go to questions and comments from the RAC.

00:17:48 Electronic Public Comment Report (Informational) - Kevin Bunnell, SRO Regional Supervisor

Kevin Bunnell: Yes. So from the comments that came from zip codes within the Southern Region, which is how they separate comments, they just do those that are from the Southern Region, we had 22% of the people that commented were in support of the recommendations, we had about 9% opposed, and 69% that were neutral. And we’ll mention, and this is true for all of the comments, we had 78 individual comments, 77 of those were from residents of the stat

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